Style Retro Review Last in series focuses on immigrant’s memoir
Page 10
JANUARY 19, 2012 tevet 24, 5772
Vol. 55, No. 36
Pittsburgh, PA
Typewriters to talking
$1.50
Jews tackle end-of-life issues through book, JHF program BY TOBY TABACHNICK Staff Writer
NCCME photo
The typewriter exhibit at the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education.
Catholic Holocaust center aspires for dialogue with Jews BY TOBY TABACHNICK Staff Writer
GREENSBURG — “What is the role of good people in difficult times?” The words are collaged and encrypted and printed outright across eight antique typewriters on display at the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE). The typewriters are the Shoainspired sculpture project of art students. But the question itself remains at the core of NCCHE, located — of all places — at Seton Hill University, Greensburg. The NCCHE is tucked away in a modest two-room suite in the administration building of the university, a small, Catholic, liberal arts school with a student body numbering about 2,000. The unassuming quarters of NCCHE, however, belie its loftier purpose: to counter anti-Semitism and to foster Jewish-Catholic relations.
“It’s important for everybody to study the Holocaust,” said NCCHE’s founder, Sister Gemma Del Duca, speaking from her home in Jerusalem, where she has lived since 1975. “But in a special way, for Catholics it is important, because we have a long history with the Jewish people, much of which is a dark history.” After the Catholic renewal prompted by Vatican II under the direction of Pope John XXIII, leaders of the Church encouraged Catholics to study both the Holocaust, and the role of the Church during that time, said Del Duca. “After Vatican II, we knew we had to face this history, and to study this history together and separately, so a kind of reconciliation and dialogue can take place,” she said. “Without Catholics studying the Holocaust, it is hard to have an authentic conversation with the Jewish people.” Del Duca, who travels back and forth
between Israel and the United States to promote Holocaust education, founded the Center in 1987, after having lived in Israel for more than 10 years, working with Father Isaac Jacob, founder and director of Tel Gamaliel, a small center for JewishCatholic relations. “In the summer of 1987 I was back at Seton Hill for the summer assembly of the Sisters of Charity,” recalled Del Duca. “Shortly before I arrived, Dr. JoAnne Boyle had been inaugurated as the new president. And in a meeting with her I discussed the possibility of a program for educators, and especially faculty and staff from Catholic colleges and universities, who would come to Israel for Holocaust study, research, experience.” The NCCHE opened Nov. 10, 1987 — the anniversary of Kristallnact. Since then, the Please see Center, page 8.
Most people have no say in when they die. But almost everyone has a say in how they die. The key, as difficult as it may be, is planning ahead. “I’ve worked with some amazing people that have confronted some pretty unimaginable things,” said Dr. Michele Reiss, the Pittsburgh-based therapist who worked with Randy Pausch (author of “The Last Lecture”) and his wife, Jai. “We can learn from these heroes.” Reiss has chronicled many of these stories in her book “Lessons in Loss and Living.” The book also includes helpful strategies for those facing a serious illness, and to grieving family members. Working with Randy and Jai Pausch inspired Reiss to write her book, she said. Pausch was a professor of computer science, human computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in his mid-40s, he died 18 months later on July 25, 2008, leaving behind his wife and three young children. Yet Pausch maintained a positive attitude throughout his illness, according to Reiss, because he always remembered his blessings. “He was able to understand that the proverbial cup is always half empty and half full,” she said. “He never lost sight of the half full part.” Although not everyone is a born optimist, Reiss believes one can train oneself to appreciate the good in life, even in the face of death. She recommends maintaining a “gratitude journal” as a tool for keeping a positive outlook. Please see End of life, page 19.
B USINES S 15/C L AS SIFIED 17/C OMMUNITY 12/O BITUARIES 18 O PINION 6/R EAL E STATE 16/S IMCHA 14/S TYLE 10/
Times To Remember
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